Introduction

Good morning, beloved family of God. It's a joy to gather together, isn't it? To stand shoulder to shoulder, heart to heart, united in our longing to draw closer to our Creator, to understand His word, and to allow His truth to shape our lives. We're here to share in the beauty of fellowship, to lift each other up, and to provide a listening ear or a comforting word. We're here to learn, to grow, and to be transformed by the renewing of our minds through the power of God's Word.

Today, we find ourselves turning to the gospel of John, chapter 3, verses 14 to 21. A passage that, in its few short verses, encapsulates the incredible, life-altering message of the gospel. It speaks of the brokenness of the world, the benevolence of Jesus, and the brightness of His path.

Brokenness of the World

In the beginning, God created a perfect world. However, sin entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, and since then, the world has been marred by brokenness. This brokenness is evident in every aspect of our lives and society. It's seen in the pain and suffering that we experience, in the injustice and inequality that exists, and in the emptiness and dissatisfaction that we often feel despite our best efforts to find fulfillment.

This brokenness is a result of our separation from God: When Adam and Eve sinned, they were banished from the Garden of Eden, symbolizing our spiritual separation from God. This separation is the root cause of all the brokenness we see and experience. It's like a deep wound that can't be healed by any human effort or remedy. However, the good news is that God, in His great love and mercy, has provided a way for this brokenness to be healed. He sent His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins so that we can be reconciled to Him. Through faith in Jesus, we can experience healing and wholeness.

The brokenness of our relationship with God: In verse 18, it says, "Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son." This verse shows that our sin has resulted in condemnation and separation from God. However, it also shows that through faith in Jesus, we can be restored to a right relationship with God.

The brokenness of our human nature: In verse 19, it says, "This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil." This verse shows that our natural inclination is towards sin and evil. We love darkness rather than light because our deeds are evil. This is a clear indication of the brokenness of our human nature.

The brokenness of our world: In verse 17, it says, "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him." This verse shows that the world is in need of salvation. It's not just individuals who are broken and in need of salvation, but the whole world.

The brokenness of our understanding of God's love: In verse 16, it says, "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." This verse shows that God's love is so great that He was willing to give His only Son to save us. However, our brokenness often prevents us from fully understanding and accepting this incredible love.

Benevolence of Jesus

In the midst of our world's brokenness, a beacon of hope emerges ... View this full PRO sermon free with PRO